Description

Wireless
(Optional)

Serial Control

PC Control

The Virtual Commander software is a piece of software designed to mimic the ArbotiX Commander. This is a small demo application written in Processing/Java. This application allows you to control InterbotiX robots as if it were connected to a real ArbotiX Commander as if it were connected to a real ArbotiX Commander. This can be very handy for rapid development, as you can program and control the ArbotiX over the same USB-FTDI connection, switching back and forth between the Arduino IDE and the Virtual Commander

The Virtual Commander is an Edge program. Edge programs and firmware are offered with limited support and documentation. They are experimental and offered 'as-is' for advanced users.

Project Parts List:

The Virtual Commander is designed for use with any of the following ArbotiX-M Robocontroller based InterbotiX Robots. It will also work with any ArbotiX Commander compatible robot.

Wiring:

The wiring of the DYNAMIXEL servos and power supply will vary based on which robot you are working with - see your assembly guide for details. You will need to connect your ArbotiX-M Robocontroller to your computer via the FTDI-USB cable, and keep it plugged in while controlling the robot.

Pin

Device

FTDI Port

USB-FTDI Cable or UartSBee

DYNAMIXEL Bus

DYNAMIXEL Chain

DC Jack

SMPS Power Supply, Battery, or other 11-12v power

If you are using a UartSBee or other USB-XBee device, you can also connect wirelessly from your computer to your robot. The UartSBee and XBee modules will act as a wireless replacement for the USB-FTDI cable.

Download Code:

Each InterbotiX Robot has special firmware that will allow it to receive commands from an ArbotiX Commander. Whether the commander is a real ArbotiX Commander or the Virtual Commander, the firmware for the robot will always be the same. Download the Commander-Compatible firmware for your robot from the list below.

Unzip the file and open the sketch in the Arduino IDE. Now load the sketch onto the ArbotiX-M Robocontroller.
If you have problems loading your code onto your ArbotiX-M, see the ArbotiX Getting Started Guide

Before you launch the application, make sure that you have your USB-FTDI Cable plugged into your computer. The Virtual Commander will not recognize the Cable/Robot if you plug it in after you start the program: you will need to re-start the program.

Once your robot is plugged into your computer, you can launch the Virtual Commander Application. From the drop-down menu, choose the serial port associated with your Robot Turret (the same port used to program the ArbotiX-M).

Once connected, you can press on one of the 8 pushbuttons to activate those functions. You can press on different points on the 'joysticks' to pan/tilt the turret.

When you are done controlling the turret, hit the disconnect button. You will not be able to program the ArbotiX as long as the Virtual Commander is connected.

For information on how the commander buttons/joysticks move the robot, see the corresponding guide in the normal Commander Guide for your robot.